Marini, younger brother of former Repsol Honda world champion Valentino Rossi, joins the factory HRC team after spending three seasons in MotꦍoGP at his brother’s VR46 Duca𓃲ti squad.

The Italian, 26, was the last in a long ꦡrun of rumoured candidates for the seat abandoned by Marquez, including Johann Zarco, Maverick Vinales, Aleix Espargaro, Miguel Oliveira, Fabio di Giannantonio and Pol Espargaro.

Honda’s initial insistence on offering just a single-year contract prompted most riders to step back, leaving di Giannantonio, losing his Gresini 🃏Ducati ride to Marquez, as favourite for several weeks.

Bu🦄t HRC’s stance softened i🍒n order to get the Marini deal over the line and the Italian has signed to helped rebuild Honda’s flagging MotoGP project on an initial two-year contract.

Although unable to match the race winning exploits of team-mate Marco Bezzecchi, Marini, who has never hidden his desire to ride for a factory team, took his first MotoGP podium and pole this year and finish𓄧ed eighth in the world championship.

Perhaps as importantly, Marini is considered a smart, analytical rider, fa♛med for his precise feedback and desire to spend hours combin🦂g through the data. Qualities Honda will hope can help bring the RC213V back to the front.

Marini will join 2020 world champion Joan Mir at Repsol next s𓂃eason with another Ducati rider, Johann Zarco, joining LCR alongside Takaaki Nakagami.

di Giannantonio is expected to take over Ma🌳rini’s VR46 place alongside Bezzecchi, on year-old GP23s next ওseason.

Marini will make his Repsol Honda debut iღn t🐓omorrow's post-race test (Tuesday).